Overview

• Hundreds turned out at Union Square for the kickoff, with one public estimate topping 1,500 participants, and physical clue cards ran out early due to demand.
• Clues tied to New York City political history routed participants to Tammany Hall, the John V. Lindsay East River Park track, the Staten Island Ferry, Tramway Plaza, and a final stop at a favorite Astoria cafe.
• Mamdani’s announcement video riffed on the chips-and-cash controversy, and he promised a final prize that would not be cash, limiting access to those with printed cards.
• A Newsweek reporter observed a bus so crowded with participants that it skipped several stops, reflecting both the event’s scale and brief strain on regular service.
• Many attendees were under 40 and cited his affordability and fare-free bus platform as draws, while Adams criticized the stunt on X and some detractors questioned its seriousness.